While the job market might be volatile, trucking is a fantastic career, especially when the market is hot, and your company is doing well. 

The American Trucking Association (ATA) predicts that unfilled driver vacancies will reach 78,000 by 2023 as a result of an aging workforce and growing freight demand. 

If you’re seeking work that gives you autonomy and allows you to travel the country, truck driving as an owner-operator or with a carrier could be a perfect professional fit for you. 

In this post, we’ll look at why you should choose truck driving as a career, the perks of working in the trucking industry, and how to become a truck driver.

7 Reasons Why You Should Choose Trucking As A Career

Whether you want to be an owner-operator or a driver for a small freight carrier, here are some reasons why you should choose this path:

1. Career Without Spending Years Preparing For It

If you’re eager to start working and earning money without spending so much time studying or preparing, a trucking profession could be an ideal option for you.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training sessions last seven weeks.

There are prerequisites depending on where you will work after training, but you will not spend years preparing for a profession. Instead, you will learn on the job and begin making money soon. 

2. Better Compensation

Truck driving jobs are well-known for their high starting salaries and tremendous growth possibilities while earning experience. The income varies depending on whether you are an owner-operator or work for a large shipper (such as Walmart) plus your abilities as a trucker and years of experience. Nevertheless, it is not new for folks in the trucking profession to earn more than six figures.

A truck driving profession is an excellent choice for those who wish to begin earning a high annual wage without committing to years of training. While there is required training and paperwork to obtain your CDL and permission, the money for truck drivers is frequently well worth it. There are no big upfront expenditures if you work for a transportation firm. 

At Advanced Trucking, our owner-operators earn up to 85% to 88%, depending on their chosen program. You can learn more about it here.

3. Incentives And Bonuses

Many truck driver jobs, especially entry-level positions, involve employee perks. If you work full-time for a small, medium, or large carrier, you may be eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage, and even life insurance.

Some carriers also provide 401(k) or other retirement savings plans, as well as bonus incentives, referral bonuses, and other advantages. These benefits will vary depending on your work and transportation company, but they may include vacation, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and overtime.

4. Stability

Together with excellent compensation, most owner-operators have no trouble finding loads.

The market determines capacity (the number of drivers about the volume of items to be moved). As the demand for truck drivers grows, so will your prospects for advancement throughout your truck driving career.

Careers as a truck driver might last a lifetime. There is no lack of jobs, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the need will continue indefinitely. The BLS predicts 6% job growth through 2030.

5. Run Your Own Business

Have you always wanted to be your boss? One in every nine truck drivers in the United States is an owner-operator, which means they work for themselves. 

Owner-operators are in charge of filling their trucks with freight of their choosing (often found on load boards) and are free to set their schedules. 

Owner-operators like the independence that entrepreneurship affords, even if that means maintaining their equipment.

You don’t have to start your own business or own a vehicle right now. Most commercial drivers begin their careers by working for carriers to obtain expertise.

If you decide to acquire a truck (or several) later in your trucking career, the business opportunities are limitless.

At Advanced Trucking, we have lease-purchase trucks available for those who are interested. You can learn more about it here.

6. Travel To New Places

Do you want to travel? Did you enjoy road vacations when you were younger? If you enjoy driving and exploring new locations, long-haul truck driving could be the ideal job for you.

Professional drivers and owner-operators are among the most well-traveled professionals in the country, driving an average of 2,000-3,000 miles per week.

7. You’re A Veteran

Are you a veteran wondering if you could venture into trucking as well? If yes, then you’ll be glad to know that there are many options for you. Drivers are in great demand due to the current truck driver shortage and the ongoing need for freight shipping.

In 2022, the US government released the “Trucking Action Plan to Strengthen America’s Workforce,” urging veterans to consider truck driving careers since their abilities and experience are a good fit. To prepare veterans for work, the Department of Defense provides chances to obtain skills and credentials before leaving the service.

The Department of Transportation also offers registered apprentice programs, SkillBridge, and Even Exchange to assist with the move to a truck driver career. 

Veterans may also be able to use their GI Bill benefits to attend truck driving school and eventually become truck drivers.

How To Become A Professional Truck Driver

Most employers will require a high school diploma or similar. They also prefer to select job candidates who have prior truck driving experience or have completed training courses, such as a truck driving school.

There are private truck driving schools, but you may also find truck driving lessons at local community colleges. Classes normally last three to six months and provide a certificate of completion. These instructional programs will teach you about truck driving laws and regulations and provide you with hands-on experience navigating trucks safely on roads and streets.

You must first obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before you may begin driving professionally. 

While qualifications vary according to where you live, you will normally be required to pass a written test on rules as well as a driving test.

You must also maintain a clean driving record and pass physical exams every few years.

Random drug and alcohol testing is also performed on truck drivers.

When you are employed by a carrier, you will most likely receive several weeks of on-the-job training, such as riding along with an experienced driver. 

This helps to advance your training and familiarize you with corporate rules as well as handling the specific equipment you will be driving.

Meanwhile, you can check our requirements at Advanced Trucking here.

Should I Work As A Truck Driver?

If these things appeal to you, it may be time to contemplate a career change to truck driving.

What’s the good news? Truck driving is a well-paying career that has a significant impact on our country’s success and standard of living. The country could not run without our long-haul truck drivers and other drivers, who move around 70% of all products.

If you’re an owner-operator who wants to join a veteran-owned reputable trucking company in Indiana, then we’re here to help! Just leave a comment below or call us at 317-978-0276 today!